Breathing problems with parkinsons

[Mollyjane11]

What can help this shortness of breath or is it just one more thing to endure?

[Nettiepie]

Hi molly jane,

I have terrible breathing problems too! It really affects my ability to speak and be understood as well. It's awful, because I need to breathe! My windpipe does not work properly, and I will need to have surgery on it if I want some relief. But those options are not great either! One is to make the' fold' in my throat larger, but then, afterward wards I would always just talk with a whispe. The second option is I could have a permanent trac tube put in. It would have to be cleaned several times a day, and one of course would always need to wear a scarf to cover a scary looking hole in the neck!! What the heck! That's what I'm facing here soon, what about you? this PD is horrid!

My best to you

Nettiepie

[JohnPepper]

Hi MollyJane. I assume that you have had chest Xrays done and there are no other problems like emphysema?

My obvious answer then would be for you to SLOWLY start doing moderate exercise. Remember! What you don't use, you LOSE!

Get advice on what exercise you should start doing.

Good luck

John

[redread in reply to JohnPepper]

John, when you refer to "exercise" for breathing, what are you recommending? Using a spirometer?

[JohnPepper in reply to redread]

Hi redread. Walking is the cheapest and far and away the best exercise for Pd. It exercises the brain and the body.

I know that walking is boring but it has been proven in countless studies, refer 1st World Parkinson's Congress held in Washington DC in 2006. At this congress Dr Beth Fisher gave full details of her study on Pd patients in which she gave full details of the benefits of walking on the brains of Pd patients. Our brain is where we have the problem, not the body.

It was found that fast walking produced a chemical in the brain called GDNF (Glial Derived Neurotrophic Factor). Glial cells are the most common brain cells. Neurotrophic means repair of Neurons (Brain Cells). Yes! Our brains produce a repair kit for brain damage, of which Pd is one.

You should try to start a walking program which will aim to do 1 hour of fast walking, 3 times a week. To begin with, walk as fast as you are able, for no more than 10 minutes. Then keep to that time for 2 weeks. Then increase it by 5 minutes every 2nd week until you are doing 1 hour. Do not walk more than 3 times a week and don't just stroll. Do YOUR BEST! Don't worry about what others can do!

The most important aspect of this walking is to keep a RECORD of your times and distances walked. You will find, very soon, that your improved distance and speed will be a very important booster to your morale. It will help you try harder and improve the benefit you receive from the exercise.

If you want to see more about it, go to my website - reverseparkinsons.net and read about walking, exercise, medication, and many other aspects of dealing with Pd.

Kind regards

John

[Mollyjane11 in reply to JohnPepper]

Hi Dr. pepper (pretty sure you never heard THAT one before),

Love your advice ...going to walk fast and mix n a little yoga😊.

[JohnPepper in reply to Mollyjane11]

Hi Molyjane. Having been to the States many times I know the soda with that name! Glad to hear that you are taking up the walking. Why not let us all know how it goes.

Good luck.

John

[BillDavid]

Another thing to consider is posture. Keeping one's shoulder posture back and up. over one's center of gravity, will help maintain lung capacity, make a difference. There are various exercises to support muscles that extend the shoulder joint available.

BillDavid

[Mollyjane11 in reply to BillDavid]

Thank you so much.

[Beckey]

Hi Molly. What meds are you taking, and do they caution that shortness of breath is a possible side effect? I am taking zonisamide, and it does. I started doing yoga and tai chi, just by watching Youtube videos aimed at beginners. At first I would find myself yawning like crazy, then my breathing becomes much easier. It was an unexpected bonus.

[Mollyjane11 in reply to Beckey]

Thank you, Becky. I'm going to start this asap!

[Toadma]

Hi All,

I have one client who has breathing interruptions. As the seconds go by, and her body is attempting to get more air there are various sounds, like gagging, and groaning, and snorting. If a person says to her "open your mouth" the breathing regularity comes back for a while.

[Mollyjane11]

I am going to try yoga🙏

[laglag]

I just read that a side effect of Amantadine is breathing problems. Are you taking it?

[Mollyjane11 in reply to laglag]

No. Just sine met and escitalopram.

[Coblrman]

I recently dropped my last dose of the day (temporarily) and noticed the shortness disappeared so it appears related to medicine (I dropped a dose of stalevo). Another side effect of med maybe.

[Mollyjane11]

I don't take that, but I'm happy it's working for you.

[michaela13]

Try breathing exercises?

[Mollyjane11]

They help, but only for a little while. I should not complain. Thanks for your input.